As 2015 draws to a close, why not treat yourself, embrace the holiday spirit and head to Malaysia to welcome in the Festive season early!

Next month sees a full calendar full of hears-stopping sporting and entertainment events. Add in great food, sensational shopping and stunning beaches, and it’s sure to appeal to almost every taste.

Here are our top picks for events and attractions happening in Malaysia this December.

Penang International Dragon Boat Festival

Watch crews from right across South East Asia and beyond go head to head on Penang’s Teluk Bahang Dam in one of Asia’s largest dragon boat festivals. Marvel as brilliantly decorated traditional boats glide across the waters to the rhythm of pounding drumbeats in one of Malaysia’s most spectacular sporting events.

Get your adrenaline pumping at the 8th Royal Cup Muay Thai Championship, the longest running muay thai event in Malaysia. This year’s championship features some of Malaysia’s best local fighters at the historic Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur over two nights of action-packed competition.

Or for some truly awe-inspiring thrills, head to beautiful Langkawi Island for Festival International Sport Extreme (FISE). Launched in 1997, FISE is now the biggest action sports festival in the world for sport professionals and amateurs in skateboard, BMX, wakeboard, inline skate and mountain biking. Book your front row seats to see all the latest stunts and tricks from some of the world’s biggest daredevils.

Langkawi also plays host to this years ISAF Youth World Championships. Watch over 300 of the world’s top youth sailors compete in a bid to add their names to the star studded list of past victors including Olympic and America’s Cup stars like Russell Coutts (NZL), Alessandra Sensini (ITA) and Ben Ainslie (GBR). And for the first time, this year’s regatta will also see the addition of the Girl’s Skiff – 29er class, and the awarding of the inaugural Malaysia Sailing Association President’s Trophy.

27 December – 3 January 2016

Illusion: Nothing Is As It Seems

For the ultimate brain-teaser that the entire family can enjoy, check out the mind-blowing Illusion Exhibition being held at Petrosains, Kuala Lumpur’s Science Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur, from now until 10 January 2016.

The Exhibition, staged by Trinity College Dublin’s Science Gallery, explores the fascinating links between science, art, technology and illusion. Created by renowned psychologist and author Richard Wiseman, along with magician and escapologist Paul Gleeson, the Exhibition is sure to challenge your perceptions – and your senses! Expect magic with psychology, optical illusions with scientific reasoning, and confusion with clarity!